ST. CROIX — The V.I. Police Department is investigating the death of 16-year-old Jathan Giffard, who was found unresponsive Thursday evening inside an apartment at Lorraine Village in Estate Grove Place.
VIPD Director of Communications Glen Dratte confirmed the incident to The Consortium. He said the 911 Emergency Call Center received a call at approximately 5:42 p.m. from a woman who reported finding her 16-year-old son unresponsive and not breathing inside the residence. VIPD officers and V.I. Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel responded and confirmed that the teenager was unresponsive.
The deceased was subsequently identified by next of kin as Jathan Giffard, 16.
According to VIPD, the preliminary investigation indicates that Jathan was found hanging inside the residence. Police emphasized that the circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation and that the official cause and manner of death will be determined following examination by the Medical Examiner.
No additional circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death were immediately released. The investigation remains active.
